August 12, 2016

Johnson announces time, place for NM rally

Andy Lyman

Gary Johnson at the Libertarian National Convention

Libertarian Party presidential nominee Gary Johnson will be appearing in New Mexico next week, a week and a half later than originally scheduled.

The former New Mexico governor will appear for a campaign rally at the Albuquerque Convention Center, according to the campaign. The event is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m., but doors will open at 1:00 p.m.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump also held a campaign rally at the same venue in May; however, the convention center has many different rooms and it’s unlikely Johnson’s event will take place in the same large room as Trump’s.

Johnson originally announced he would be in Albuquerque for the rally this week. However, his campaign rescheduled days before the event. A campaign spokesman cited “logistical challenges” as the reason why the third-party hopeful delayed the event.

The announcement does not say that Johnson’s running mate, former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, will be appearing alongside Johnson. Like Johnson, Weld was a two-term governor. Both were Republicans when they served as governor, but both switched to the Libertarian Party.

Johnson was also the 2012 Libertarian Party nominee, when he received a little less than 1 percent of the vote nationwide. In New Mexico, Johnson received almost 4 percent of the vote, the best total of any individual state.

Last month, former Department of Public Safety secretary Darren White announced his endorsement of Johnson. White is a Republican and worked under Johnson, though resigned over Johnson’s push for marijuana legalization. White has put the differences between himself and Johnson behind him and now even helps run a medical marijuana non-profit.

Another Republican, State Sen. Lisa Torraco, announced her support for Johnson earlier this month. The Albuquerque Republican said “I am proud to see that our state could play a pivotal role in deciding this election.”

New Mexico is considered a Democratic state on the presidential level by most handicappers and Hillary Clinton is favored to win the state.

Green Party candidate Jill Stein will also appear on the ballot, as will the candidate for the Party for Socialism and Liberation, a socialist political party.

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